Charity

Harry Uglow's wish to row into the record books for Make-A-Wish Foundation UK

A HAMPSHIRE teenager is aiming for a place in the record books – while raising thousands of pounds for a charity that granted a wish for his brother who was diagnosed with leukaemia.

At the age of just 15, Harry Uglow, from Botley, is hoping to become the youngest person ever to row solo across the English Channel.

It is a gruelling 21-mile mission that will see the teenager having to steer clear of large container ships and choppy conditions in
one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

While a successful crossing will see his name go down in history, the teenager’s main aim is to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, which supported his family during his younger
brother’s fight against Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

Ollie Uglowwas just nine when they received the devastating diagnosis in August 2008, which saw the family face endless hours in hospital as he underwe n t many months of treatments and tests.

But thanks to the charity, the family got the chance to escape the hospital wards when Make-A-Wish granted Ollie’s wish of a family holiday to Orlando, Florida.

Last year Ollie was given the all clear and now his family are focused on a new mission that will see Harry make history and raise more than £10,000 for the charity.

The teenager, who first started rowing six years ago, has been training hard for the challenge, up to six days a week.

As well as regular session at Southampton rowing club Coalporters, he has been getting advice from Olympic rowing legend Matthew Pinsent and had coaching
from Langstone Adventure Rowing, which supported comedian John Bishop when he rowed across the channel as part of his Sport Relief challenge earlier this year.

Harry, who has received £1,000 sponsorship from Spire Southampton Hospital, where his dad is a consultant, said: “Make-A-Wish are truly amazing and after seeing the lengths they go to in supporting
families going through such tough times, I just want to raise as much as I can so they can continue to help other families in the future.”

Harry is hoping to set off from Dover on Friday, depending on the conditions. So far he has already raised more than £10,000.